Filter Module for Diagnostic Trouble Code Dependency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diagnostic trouble codes generated by vehicle control modules often lead to misleading diagnoses and increased repair time and costs due to the generation of multiple codes for a single underlying problem, as existing systems do not effectively filter dependent codes.
Innovation Solution
A control system and method that includes a filter module within the vehicle control module or service tool to filter diagnostic data based on a comparison with a data array containing dependent and root cause identifiers, using logical expressions to determine when to filter out dependent fault identifiers, thereby reducing the complexity of diagnosis and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control modules generate diagnostic trouble codes for detected faults, then fault detection capability is improved, but multiple dependent codes are produced for a single underlying problem leading to misleading diagnoses
Solution Approach 1:
A filter module is introduced as an intermediary between the control module and service tool. This filter module receives diagnostic data including fault identifiers and status information, compares it against stored dependency relationships, and selectively blocks dependent codes from being transmitted to the service tool while allowing root cause codes to pass through, thereby resolving the contradiction between comprehensive fault detection and diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes dependent diagnostic codes from the data stream transmitted to service tools. By identifying codes that are dependent on other codes and removing them from the transmission, the system eliminates misleading information while preserving the essential root cause diagnostic data, thus improving diagnostic accuracy without sacrificing fault detection capability
2Loss of information
If multiple dependent diagnostic trouble codes are transmitted to service tools, then comprehensive fault information is provided, but diagnosis and repair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter module extracts and removes dependent codes from the diagnostic data stream before transmission to the service tool. By eliminating redundant dependent codes while retaining root cause codes, the system provides sufficient information for accurate diagnosis without the time-wasting complexity of analyzing multiple dependent codes, thus resolving the contradiction between information completeness and diagnostic efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting all detected codes and filtering at the service tool end, the system inverts the approach by filtering at the control module end before transmission. This proactive filtering approach reduces the data transmission volume and processing burden on service tools, thereby reducing diagnosis time while maintaining necessary diagnostic information
3Loss of information
If all diagnostic trouble codes are communicated to service tools, then complete diagnostic data is available, but service procedure flexibility is reduced due to hardware changes
Solution Approach 1:
The filter module serves as an adaptive intermediary that dynamically controls code transmission based on dependency relationships. This intermediary layer allows the system to maintain service procedure flexibility by selectively transmitting only relevant root cause codes, accommodating hardware changes without requiring complete transmission of all possible diagnostic codes, thus resolving the contradiction between data completeness and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes an input that one of receives and transmits diagnostic data including a fault identifier and a fault status of the fault identifier, and a filter module that filters said diagnostic data based on a comparison of the diagnostic data and a data array, wherein the data array includes a dependent identifier and a corresponding root cause identifier. The control system may be included with one or more of a vehicle control module and a service tool. A related method is also provided.